Spots Escaped Criminal, Leading To Apprehension

Aviat Aircraft's Chief Pilot, Mark Heiner, spends most of his time conducting flight tests for new products or new copies of the Aviat's Huskys, Pups, or Pitts Specials. He took on a very different role recently in response to a call from the Sheriff's office.

A convicted criminal and mental patient, Lucas Balys, had escaped custody while being transported to Wyoming's State Hospital. The call went out to law enforcement agencies, bringing in a group of State Police and Sheriff's Deputies. According to a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office in Lincoln County, "Aviat Aviation was more than happy to help law enforcement's efforts to locate this man and keep the community safe."

Heiner took off from Afton in a Husky A-1B and began circling the area where the escapee was last seen. Deputy Timothy Malik stated, "the plane was quite well suited for just such a situation in such a tight area for flying a search pattern close to the ground. Heiner was extremely stalwart in his attempts to locate the suspect in that "extremely suspect-friendly environment. Mark's persistence and above average flying skills eventually proved the suspect's undoing." Mark radioed the ground forces about the visual contact he had made with the suspect and the search quickly came to a successful conclusion.

Huskys have been used by law enforcement and border patrols for years, with good results. The wide speed range of 50 to 140 mph, and excellent visibility make the aircraft a highly effective tool in aerial spotting.

FMI: www.AviatAircraft.com